Tornado devastates Joplin; links to online resources

Update 1

Citizens can now check on the status of their friends and family by calling 417-659-5464.

COLUMBIA, May 23, 2011 — A tornado ripped through the southwest Missouri city of Joplin around 6 p.m., Sunday, May 22. At least 89 people have been reported killed in the disaster.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol asks all first responders who are responding to assist in Joplin and Jasper County to report to the command post at 34th Street and Main Street in Joplin. At this time, the Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management has not received a request for other non-affiliated volunteers from our area. Should this change, OEM will notify the public.